We're all busy these days, working, getting food on the table, driving kids to activities, or just trying to keep up. Somehow sandwiched between all the fun, I got it into my head that the trophies for Go Far Go Fast had to be truly unique this time around. The Go Wild theme seemed like a really fun one, something you could really run with. Needless to say, I did a big swipe of my calendar and began the process of getting myself covered in hot glue, epoxy and moss. I was floored when a company down in Florida named Safari Ltd. was incredibly generous and donated 120 animals to be the marquees of the trophies. I hope they somehow know that their generosity will help so many kids GO FAR. In doing so, so have they!

After a trip to Michael's crafts to stock up on glue sticks and moss, I knew I would have to go local to create bases for these creations. Tyler from Torrison Stone would scratch his head and chuckle when he would see me rummaging from his discarded stone pile armed with a bucket and a hammer. With a smile on his face, I could sense his thoughts that, "yes, the Go Far lady has lost it this time."

I had stones for the animals to stand on, but now I needed bases for the brass race engraving plates. Getting on that job was a wonderful guy named Noah, owner of "Ultimate Kids", who makes classic wooden toys. Remember wooden toys that existed long before i-devices? He makes really neat tables, swings and games all out of his homespun woodworking shop. He's Santa's Durham connection.

My small kitchen would become a whirling center for activity for two weeks. Animals were everywhere, epoxy stuck to the tiles( sorry honey). There were drill bits scattered, a hole drilled in my hand followed by band-aid wrappers, and moss in every crevice of the room. I had hungry kids because I was too busy to feed them and there was no place to cook anyway. After cutting each stone, each animal's habitat would begin to come about as I added colored sand, moss, bark, flowers, dead wood or whatever I could find in the woods behind my house. Each statuette was getting its own personality. While the camel needed to be in the desert, the polar bear needed an ice flow. How did Noah manage to build that ark with so many temperature zones?

All throughout, the cat would sit among the animals and consider the animal kingdom growing around him. He thinks he's the king of it after all.

The process continued at trophy night, a storied Go Far tradition that usually includes a glass of wine and lot's of hot glue! We would glue, laugh, be merry and heckle each other over our inability to stick a rock to a wood base. Oscar our friendly lab in residence would play the role of DogZilla and send some of our animals flying off their bases and right into the animal hospital. It's always a night to remember.

As each animal found it's way to it's new base the excitement was palpable. I can't wait til each trophy finds it's way into the hands of a well deserving child. Each one of these was made with love and with the belief that each child is unique and has a greatness to share with the world. These awards come from digging deep on my end and theirs.

Go Far Go Fast will come and go on Saturday and it will mark the completion of the program's seventh year. I invite you all, runner or otherwise, young and old to join us at this event and feel its energy. I hope the kids go wild for Go Wild! I know I have.

Go Far Go Fast Go Wild will have an animal theme this year. Safari Ltd donated beautiful animal figures to top these unique hand crafted trophies. I am excited to announce that our sponsor, Durham Pharmacy will be selling Safari Ltd. figures at their store and and have them available on race day. It's a great race memento and DF has lots to choose from. I still have my childhood animal collection. These are heirloom toys perfect for passing down. This is just another reason to support your local pharmacy, box stores just dont do stuff like this!